Tips for Parents of Adolescents

National Center for
Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Health Topics CDC addresses six critical types of
adolescent health behavior that research shows contribute to the leading
causes of death and disability among adults and youth:
Alcohol &
Drug Use Alcohol abuse is the
third leading preventable cause of death in the United States (4% of the total
deaths in 2000), and is a factor in approximately 41% of all deaths from
motor vehicle crashes. Talk to your child about alcohol. Set a
good example. Have your child make a
promise that if there is a dangerous situation they will call you immediately
and help them to return to safety.
Injury & Violence
(including suicide) Injury and
violence is the leading cause of death among youth aged 10-24 years: motor
vehicle crashes (37% of all deaths), all other unintentional injuries (16%),
homicide (18%), and suicide (13%). Seat belt use is a 100% necessity for
driver and passenger. Limit the number
of teens in the car. When there are greater than 3 teens in ateen
driver car, the risk of accident increases by 300%. Sit down to dinner most nights and discuss
how your teen is doing (friends, pressures, as well as highlights of their
day)Tobacco Use
Every day about 4,000 American youth aged 12–17 years try their
first cigarette. It is estimated that smoking causes 435,000 deaths each year
in the United States. Set
the example. Children of smokers are more likely to smoke. Despite that statistic even with smokers as
parents: if a parent counsels a child
on non-smoking it IS effective. Nutrition Almost 80% of young people do not eat the
recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. Nearly 9 million youth in the United States
aged 6–19 years are overweight. Have delicious fresh fruit and
vegetables handy for snack, serve with meals (baby carrots, green grapes,
tomatoes are all greatfavorites)Physical
Activity Participation in physical
activity declines as children get older. Overall, in 2005, 36% of 9-12 graders
had participated in at least 60 minutes per day of physical activity. Nearly
37% of 9th graders, but only 33% of 12th graders, participated in 60 minutes
of physical activity on a regular basis. Build in family fun activities: sports, bike riding, train for marathons or
local races together.Sexual Risk
Behaviors Each year, there are
approximately 19 million new STD infections in the United States, and almost half of
them are among youth aged 15 to 24. Thirty-four percent of young women become
pregnant at least once before they reach the age of 20. Stress the importance of self esteem,
not caving to peer pressure, discuss this topically openly, discuss
abstinence and well as health promotion and disease prevention.

These behaviors usually are established during childhood, persist into
adulthood, are inter-related, and are preventable. In addition to causing
serious health problems, these behaviors also contribute to the educational
and social problems that confront the nation, including failure to complete
high school, unemployment, and crime.